Identification and dosage by HRGC of minor alcohols and esters in Brazilian sugar-cane spirit

The presence of 51 volatile compounds, among alcohols and esters in Brazili an sugar-cane spirit (cachaca), were investigated by high-resolution gas ch romatography (HRGC). The following alcohols and esters were identified and quantified: methanol, 1,4-butanodiol, 2-phenylethyl alcohol, amyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, cynamic alcohol, n-decanol, geraniol, isoamyl alcohol, isobu tanol, menthol, n-butanol, n-dodecanol, n-propanol, n-tetradecanol, amyl pr opionate, ethyl acetate, ethyl benzoate, ethyl heptanoate, isoamyl valerate , methyl propionate, propyl butyrate. The average higher alcohols content ( 262 mg/100 mL in anhydrous alcohol a.a.) and total esters content (24 mg/10 0 mL a.a.) in cachacas, are smaller than in other spirits. The average meth anol content in cachacas (6 mg/100 mL a.a.) is the same as in rum, but smal ler than in wine spirit. No qualitative differences of chemical profile amo ng cachacas have been observed.